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About The frontier. (O'Neill City, Holt County, Neb.) 1880-1965 | View Entire Issue (Jan. 24, 1929)
By LINTON WELLS and NSL3 LEROY JORGENSEN 16 11c glanced at iiis wateii. JJie train she had just left was the *ne with which he would have connected had lie continued on to Yokohama. By tiding his oirplanc. Rogers had managed to or- rtalce a previous train. It was nearly 10 o’clock. A Hidden rush of steam from be hind him warned him that his train was about to start. V ; Yet there was something that, intrigued him about the {'voman who approached. Snmc hing in her carriage spoke of nn innate courage and daring ilint would scorn whatever dangers thee were here; it tlvas sr> evident to him lhat lie jrprevsed his first intention of (peaking to her and offering Jjis es' ort. I “I wonder if she’d think I yvas rude—” I lie broke off suddenly, with n sharp gasp of surprise and {’onsternation. Without warri ng, there had sprung from out jof the dark behind her five i'rined men—Chinese! He saw n knife flash against the dis mal platform light- and a long Ions I, sarong uncoiled as one of j the men started toward her. 1 Forgetful of Hie waiting |rain -of everything—Jimmy propped his hag and darted forward. A lit I It* < rv of warn ing from his lips Was echoed py her, just, ns she turned and perceived the thugs. She dart ed hack. Jimmy, as he rushed forward, noted, without even pausing to classify the impres sion, that she did not scream. There were no weapons among the Chinese besides the tong knives they carried. A pistol, Jimmy realized, would finish him off before he could reach them. Yet, even in the brief seconds which intervened as he got across the few yards separating him from the scene, it was the woman who held his eyes. There was something thrill Ingly courageous about the way she fought, with nil the fury of a tigress, against the pian who had attacked her from behind, and who was now Attempting to twist the sarong in a knot behind her head and over her face—fought so wild ly that a second man was forced to the aid of the first. A lotv voiced order came Tram the thick lips of a squat burly Mongolian, just as Jim my reached (he spot. The speed Inf hin arrival carried forward |he fierce, straight arm blow (which he started from the shoulder in the same second, llis right fist struck the squat Individual squarely in the face •>n<l carried him tumbling backward. | There was something dan perous in Jimmy’s eves; with |he very prospect of the fight* n tiny greenish flame had lighted far in their depths. He twr.s suddenly a creature of un leashed* unutterable fury; the tight of the slim, gallant fig- i lire of this lonely woman in )the hands of these men had j get off Rome primordial spark Inside him. There had. been a terrific iernek as his right fist struck. Now, n the same motion which bad lent him upon the leader •inf the thugs* lie half whirled, sidewise, and the edge of his doubled left hand met the jaw of a second man. A knife went blattering to t It e ground. 3’licrr was a wild, high voiced cry. Jimmy whirled again as his svund victim staggered to liw feet whirled to meet the rush of the three others. lie heard a low voiced, thrill ing plea that was lost in the fury of the moment, hut lie knew lie should know the worn ;ten’s voice again—anywhere. tHien the nil i ,l;. in all its fury. ■ I I ■■ — .—.— ——--, ^ Pacifist l*l<*a antrv. W ** * am Iowa lesion* ;e W'A e-iorr of years ago lh? old red sight districts lud many apotoxist* hTi-e are today a considerably larr *r number ol viohgi. for tan military eatabl* .ht.i-nh* There la a Virany similarity of notr* in th? ar gninrn’ji advanced for bath the U cmatri knlinx of war and the II icttHsI prostitution of the eld time #i*d Djtht dutricta, And in both the aptrrsae “human nature ha* i»ot rhaijt d’ appears frequently,”—De* (don* Roialtr. Hrw'n that for nice xentrel. adv ice * cumenty heave it to a theor Wtjeal parlftat to keep dlacuffion on • tv*h plane If,* never calls any turned rrom ner to vein it.scu upon him. Jimmy had a swift vision of a long, wieked knife gleaming with a yellow flame along its edge in the light from the dim lamps along the platform. It des -ended, just as lie leapt sidewise, avoiding it by scarce ly an inch. The flat of his palm caught the man who held it and sent him backward* just as the latter’s two companions leapt upon him. These, apparently, had no Icnivop* but their wriggling* squirming bodies wore like a mess of eels, he thought. He caught the throat of one man who had clamped on him from behind—buried his fingers deep in the hard flesh. With his feet be kicked out desperately, glimpsing, with wide, burning eyes, the leader of the cut throats staggering doubtfully 1o his feet. The girl cried out again— then she was lost in the haze of moving figures and dizzy lights. But this time she had cried for aid for him ! “Bun!” lie cried. “Get go ing—I’ll hold Vm!” Whether she obeyed or not, lie could not tell. He bad for gotten the necessity there was for him to board the Moscow train : in bis anger and the beat of the battle, he had forgotten everything but the woman. Something had happened in side him; merely bis single glimpse of her bad made her safety paramount. But lie was reeling now. Something heavy glanced off his head. He ducked instinc tively and put ii]) a feeble arm to ward off a knife thrust. He had no way of knowing how many men were on him; but lie felt himself being borne down to the ground. He was making a terrific ef fort. to hold on to his senses, while a spurt of blood from a wound over bis eye blinded him momentarily, and be was sen sible that every muscle in his body was numbed from the blows he had received, when, suddenly, an English voice broke into his consciousness: “Hold on, Jimmy!” He gasped. “Saunders— help!” There was a rush of feet—a curse in the Manclm dialect. He felt one of the winding arms loosed from around his throat and lashed out wildly with both fists- doubling up and hurling himself at the figure of a man with a knife. There was a crash; Jimmy groped through a thick fog to come to grips with one of his antagon ists who seemed eluding him. Then that cheering voice again: “Here we are—steady, son!” There was the eraelc of a pis tol—a wild cry. Through a haze that enveloped his mental and physical vision, he heard flic spurt of steam from the head of the Moscow train. Arms wore about him—friend ly arms- this time- and lie felt himself swaying as they held him. He heard Saunder's cool voice above him. “You’ve got them all. hoys. No more shooting—might hit someone else.” Jimmy tried to straighten, lie dashed a hand across his eyes, and looking up, saw that his palm was covered with blood. Saunders was smiling cheerily. “Not hurt, are you!” “T—think not.” Jimmy gazed about li i m wildly. “Where has she—T” “She!” Saunders cocked a questioning eyebrow. Without replying, Jimmy swept the strange station with a startled, disbelieving stare. Is'iunders was beside him, the Englishman’s arm lightly about one who disagrees with him anv ! thing that won't violate the postal lawa. Now that we might see where we stand in the Register's opinion we should like a clear statement of what tt calls a large military es tablishment Since we strongly fav or keeping what we have and other Am. t 'an Legtonairrs. Auxiliary i .n ; Pi- ti nt Coolldge and many more poor, misguided, vicious KtSUktUik *•» tear we may have a mind like that of persons who fav or 1‘r-nfd prostitution. Of course, pros'.itu'ion sue national defense are exactly alike, objections to one could be used perfectly on the other. i The Register rarelv if ever aavs i ft!* shoulders. A few r^et | away, two of the Chinese lay stretched on the ground mi moving. A third stood with Ids hands bound cruelly up be tween his shoulder blades, while four of Sounder's men were grouped about. The oth er Chinese had vanished. But along the whole length of the dimly lighted, still lone ly platform, at the farther end of which the Moscow train chugged a last warning, there was no other sign of life. The woman in black whom he had risked his life to save from the thugs had completely van ished. CHAPTER XIV J i m m v felt unspeakably weak and dizzy. For a mo ment, with 1 ho realization that the woman was not in sight* the past few moments seemed like some nightmare; only his aching muscles and the blood which Saunders was wiping out of his eye, assured him that it was all real—these things and the sight of Ihe mo tionless Chinese, with Saund ers’ men. He shook his head feeling faint. Did you say she? Ins rescuer demanded. “I did. Do you mean you didn’t see a woman here when you came up?” Jimmy asked feebly. He felt a decided un willingness to talk, a weakness that flooded his entire being, yet the mystery held him erect. “No—nor pink elephants,” Saunders assured him. “They must’ve hurt you more than I thought.” “No, no!” Jimmy grasped at his friend’s coat lapels fierce ly. “I tell you, 1 mean it, Tommy—there was a woman— a white woman. She got off the train from Fusan, the one I would have been on had I crossed Japan. T was at the other end of this platform, when these five Chinos jumped out of the dark and tried to kidnap her.” Saunders stared at him, his brow wrinkled. “I’m not sure, Jimmy, hut that—” He broke off at Jimmy Bran don’s sudden exultant cry. The latter tried to leap forward; instead, he swayed as he start ed, and fell to his hands from weakness. Saunders caught him and then watched with surprise as the American gained his feet, clutching a stained, heel marked strip of fragile lace in his fingers. “Here it is—hers!” Jimmy carried the once dainty thing to his face, and his eyes half closed with the faint, delicate scent he caught. “Black narcissus.” Saunders grunted. “Jimmy, is all this straight?” “Doesn't this prove it? I’ve told you the facts, Tommy. The question now is, where did she iro?” Saunders frowned at t lie lengthy string of dark coaches. “I know there wasn’t a sign of her when l came up. She must be in her ear, but Heavens knows which one it d be. lie turned back. “We ve got to put you aboard. It was just chance that brought me here, this way.” “What way?” Saunders gestured toward the men with him. “Three of those are local police.’ he ex plained. “Didn’t Welker tell you*I was dining with the rail head?” “Yes, of course.” .Timmy’s legs were unsteady as he start l'd forward, aided by Saunders hand under bis arm. Said you’d try to make it to say cheerio. But why the police? —How did you know?” “That’s just it.” Saunders frowned. ”1 was in rather a pickle—saw no way of leaving there in time. Until, just be fore 1 diil leave, news came that an American was going to be attacked as he left the Fu san train. How the authorities got hold of it, l don’t know. But anyhow, I announced it was my friend, took my two j boys ami aibb'd I lit* Olliers, nnd dashed right down here. anything good about our military Every time an American uniformed i man appear* to make a mint nice the Register gleefully seises upon It to substantiate Its poaitton. whatever Its position is. The Register consist ently oppose* every move to increase our defense Irrespective of what 1 other nations mav do. let the Unit ed States even think of adding any thing to win and the Register screams militarism Time and avatn In the past the Register has vig orously surperted movements to cut down what defense we had. contending we had so much we ar> | pea red thirsty to the rest of in? | world. i Under existing condi isms, dues It s 'omof! quite logical when I aw you in the midst of that mess. ” “But they didn’t attack me!” Jimmy exclaimed. “They attacked an Ameri can,” Saunders retorted. “Naturally, I assumed il would be a male American but after all, that’s only an assumption.” Jimmy halted before the steps to his car. Ahead, the train was jerking up ready to start. A guard waved to him to enter, lie felt very weak. Yet ]) is eves, suddenly, had re gained their fire. “It’s beginning to be under standable,” be said slowly, “1 was supposed to be on that train—only I wasn’t. It was intended that it should be me all right.” He swayed. “You’ll have to help me a bit, old mail, didn’t realize I was so done in.” The blood had clotted over 1 his eye, destroying his vision The train gave a last jerk which threw him into Sana dt r’s arms. Tenderly, the lat ter helped him inside the ear and to his compartment. Jim my made a last effort to smile as lie realized Ihe train was pulling away, and that the Englishman was walking a long beside the open window of the compartment 1 11 never be able to tuanu you. Tommy,” he managed, and put out his hand feebly. “Forget it,” Saunders grinned. “Wish T could stick with you. You’ll be needing at tention. But if you want to thank me at all go on ahead and win! I've bet my next vear’s income on you, and everybody in the club has done the same.” “Righto!” Jimmy grinned in a fashion that was almost like his old self, though his weakness was overcoming him too swiftly for comfort. “I don’t like the rules of this game, but I’ll win. I promise.’ “LuckSaunders' cheery voice floated into the night. The train picked tip speed and bore on toward Manehou li and Moscow. Jimmy tried to rouse himself to look out of the window and wave a final good-bye, but the effort was too much. His head swam diz zily through misty globules of light that floated about; he re laxed, settling back against the cushions of his seat with a feeling that he was sinking in to oblivion. He put out his foot and touched the leather bag that Saunders had not forgot ten to throw in. With a sigh, now that the last responsibility was attend ed to, he slipped into uncon sciousness. The last he remem bered were the blinking, lone ly lights of the outskirts of Harbin and the black, impene trable pal 1 into which the train was rushing as they bore on. Unconsciousness. Yet there were dreams. Upon awakening, they seemed cnmz inglv fragile and elusive. But something must have existed that was real, amid it all. He clenched his hand; the hand kerchief he had picked up on the Harbin platform was gone He swore softly, and slowly his eyes opened. It was gone Not even on the floor. And he remembered, suddenly, that it had been initialled; lie mighl have discovered, had he re tnined a hold on himself, the identity of the woman in black. Thinking of her, he jerked up his head at something fa miliar, and then gave a soft little exclamation. “Narcisse noir!” Faint, elusive, delicately palpable in spit** of all, his compartment held a trace of the same fragrance that he re membered ou the handker chief. (TO B». CONTINUED) NOTHING ‘JUST AS GOOD" From the Cincinnati Enquirer Customer- Have you any varnish remover? Druggist No. we sell only soft drinks, but you might try the speak easy In the next block. the Register favor the United States completely abolishing our defenses? The Register, to our knowledge, ha* never gone quite that far. but a concrete expression of Jiut what It thinks wo should have would tx moat comforting, for then we eould know who In it* eyes are In th* rla-v* of prostitution supporters and who are not. That would slmnt'f) the debate in Iowa considerably. Farewrll In Thee. From Tlt-BiU. "Dear, If you'd only grow youi hair longer l‘d marry you. "Thanks; I prefer to remap* single " \ To break a cold harmlessly and in a hurry try a Bayer Aspirin tablet. And for headache. The action of Aspirin is very efficient, too,in cases of neuralgia, neuritis, even rheumatism and lumbago! And there's no after effect; doctors give Aspirin to children— often infants. Whenever there’s pain, think of Aspirin. The genuine Bayer Aspirin has Bayer on the box and on every tablet All druggists, with proven directions. Physicians prescribe Bayer Aspirin; it does NOT affect the heart Arplrin l* tho trade mark of Barer Manufacture of Monoaoetlcacldester of Eallcylicecld Goblet of Friendship Never Yet Exhausted I have drained the sparkling beak er of the magical brew of Youth and been thrilled with the wild tumult of Its impetuous urge coursing through my vcius. I have pledged my happiness with t he blood-red goblet of Love and drank deeply of its sacred and intox icating contents. I have toyed with the tempting opal howl of Ambition, but its dregs are hitter and may only be sweetened by libations from the crystal cup of Service to Man. Then it was revealed to me that no one yet has drunk too deeply of the sacrament in the golden chalice of Friendship, without which even Youth and Love would lose their deepest meaning.—Dan Beard in the Pictorial Review. Increased Their Thirst Wife (seeing husband attacked by bees)—Run, honey, run! Husband—Don't call me honey, for heaven’s sake! You’re making them despera t e.—I’ea rson’s. Not Too Excluiive “I hear she is very exclusive.” •‘Well, I don’t know. Site associates with other people sometimes.” PAIN IN THE STOMACH is not a pleasant feeling nor are head* aches, gas, heartburn, feeling of fullness or that tired feeling after meals which are the stomach’s signals that it cannot do its work and needs help. If your's is signaling you in any of these ways write H. Cole Watkins, Box 298, Scranton, Pa., for information about a formula worked out by a chemist and used for 17 years with amazing success in such cases. Fooled the Monk Somebody’s monkey was running around loose at Los Angeles and a policeman was delegated to catch it. He tried various traps and lures, hut the monkey would not remain within arms’ reach long enough to be cap tured. Then thinking of the old say ing, "monkey see monkey do,” ho made a noose, thrust his head through the noose several times and then extended the trap gently toward the animal. The monkey put his head right through the noose and lost hi* liberty. Leave It to Her Jim—You'll keep our engagement dark secret, won’t you Nellie? Nellie—I’ll tell the world. Daughter of Mr*. Catherine Lamuth Box 72, Mohawk, Michigan •‘After my daughter grew into womanhood she began to feel rundown and weak and a friend asked me to get her your medicine. She took Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Com pound and Lydia E. Pink ham’s Herb Medicine* Her nerves are better, her appetite is good, she is in good spirits and able to work every day. We recommend the Vegetable Compound to other girls and to their mothers.”—Mrs. Cath erine Lamuthi Daughter of Mr*. Ev* Wood How0 1006 South H. Street, Danville, ill. ‘‘I praise Lydia E. Pinkham’s VegetableCompound for what it has done for my fourteen year-old daughter as well as for me. It has helped her growth and her nerves and she has a good appetite now and sleeps wetL She has gone to school every day since beginning the medicine, I will continue to give it to her at regular in tervals and will recommend it to other mothers who have daughters with similar trou bles.”—Mr,. Eva Wood Howe, (illT HID OF DANDRUFF kv C'uticiira Soap ASIISTKD ItV M Cuticiini Oiiilmenl •oni rnnwiKRR Six* JU. Olwm IV. «J tOc. TaKu«i IV. S*mpU amk f*m ^aar. >> “faiVUi1' *•*«• •*. Ral4ia, Nawarkawlli